EVALUATION OF PESTICIDES RESIDUE IN SOIL AND WATER SAMPLES FROM POTATOES FARM IN ILUJU IRRIGATION SCHEME

In this study, the occurrence of pesticide residue with human risk assessment of twenty-two pesticides was detected in both soil and water samples with four chemical classes having pesticides detected. Residues in water were identified in both dry and rainy seasons, owing to pesticide application during these seasons. Contamination is found in regions dominated by agricultural and horticulture land use due to the result of various environmental causes, including leaching and seeping into nearby surface and groundwater, agricultural runoff, and spray drifts from indiscriminate pesticide application. Agriculture practices are the primary sources of pesticide contamination. This study has revealed that pesticides of different kinds are used in agricultural production in the study area. Higher concentrations of residues above the EU-MRLs are an indication that pesticides are indiscriminately applied around the world. The use of organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) was banned several decades ago all over the world, but OCP residues are still found in soil and water. Farmers have mainly applied multiple types of pesticides to achieve greater efficiency in controlling pests and to increase productivity. The concentrations of organochlorine, organophosphate, carbamate, and pyrethroid were considerably higher than in the emerging substitutes. Compared to literature data from other studies, the residue levels of pesticides from the samples were higher when compared with the EU set MRLs. OCP residues in the samples could be traced mainly to historical applications. The cooperation among farmers, individuals, non-profit organizations, local authorities, and government should be strengthened to eliminate pesticide residues, which may cause long-term health effects. Implementation of integrated pesticide management and good agricultural practices can contribute to the reduction of pesticide residues in paddy fields in the future and knowledge, attitude, and practice concerning pesticide usage and waste disposal among pesticide applicators are critical attributes to foster among farmers. Farmers’ attitudes, knowledge, and behavior toward pesticide safety can also be used to control pesticide discharge.